Regional Briefs: Feb. 14

A federal grand jury indicted two Montebello men and a San Bernardino man for allegedly importing and creating bogus debit cards and credit cards, officials said Thursday.

Federal investigators have seized more than 90,000 counterfeit credit cards related to the case. With a minimum credit limit of $500 per card, authorities estimated the value at $45 million.

Jose Rolando Renderos, 38, of Montebello, his son, Jose Ulloa, 18, of San Bernardino, and Milagro del Carmen Alvarez Hernandez, 27, of Montebello were charged Tuesday with several violations including access device fraud, possession of counterfeit access devices, and trafficking in counterfeit goods.

The three suspects, who are in custody, have a Feb. 25 arraignment in federal court.

According to the indictment, Renderos and Ulloa allegedly would obtain blank counterfeit credit cards from China which had the names and logos from companies that included American Express, Capitol One, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.

Authorities alleged the father and son then embossed and activated the counterfeit cards using real credit card numbers that were illegally obtained.

The suspects allegedly kept unembossed card stock in a storage unit in Monterey Park. Federal agents served a search warrant at the unit on Feb. 6 and recovered more than 80,000 cards, an embossing machine and multiple credit card skimmers.

The investigation is ongoing.

Investigators believe the suspects probably were using the cards to buy high-end merchandise they could resell.

Alvarez used one of the cards in December to buy more than $1,600 worth of merchandise at a children's boutique in Los Angeles, according to court documents.

SOUTH EL MONTE

Officials ID woman fatally struck by SUV

Authorities on Wednesday identified a 75-year-old South El Monte woman who was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing a street.

Ofelia Herrera died at a hospital about two hours after being struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe about

No crime was initially suspected in connection with the collision, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Jim Dexter said. The man who was driving the Chevrolet SUV, "immediately stopped and reported the collision," he added.

Herrera was crossing north across Klingerman, within a crosswalk, when she was hit by the the SUV as it made a left turn onto eastbound Klingerman, according to Sgt. Michael Martinez.

The SUV driver made his turn after waiting for traffic to clear, Dexter said, but apparently failed to see the pedestrian.

The driver was not cited or arrested at the scene, Dexter said.

LA HABRA

8-year-old girl injured in dog attack

An 8-year-old girl walking to school was attacked by two Rottweilers Tuesday morning, police said.